Manchester City are set to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager after reportedly agreeing a significant financial settlement with Chelsea. The deal, reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, will see City pay Chelsea €20 million (£17.2 million) in compensation for Maresca, who left his role at Stamford Bridge in early January.
Maresca's Path to Manchester City
Maresca served as Pep Guardiola's assistant during City's treble-winning 2022/23 campaign before leaving to manage Leicester City, leading the Foxes to promotion to the Premier League. After one season at Leicester, he replaced Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea but departed after just six months, having won the Club World Cup at the end of his first season. Guardiola ended his trophy-laden 10-year reign at City at the end of the season, paving the way for Maresca's return.
Onuoha Backs Maresca Appointment
Former City defender Nedum Onuoha expressed confidence in Maresca's suitability for the role. Speaking to PA, Onuoha said: "I think he very much could fit the bill. This is somebody that has managed in the top flight with Chelsea and somebody that was also at City as an assistant coach." He added: "If Maresca was to come in I think it'd be a familiar face, somebody who understands how he wants his team to play and, listening to the way that the Chelsea players talk about Maresca, overall he could be a big positive."
Onuoha also noted: "I think whoever they bring in, they're coming in to not try to be Guardiola, they're being brought in because of who they are. I think if they can add their own detail to the mix, it's a great job for somebody to have because the club is not in a bad position – it's the exact opposite. There's lots of good young players coming through who've shown that they can contest for a league title and can lift silverware at Wembley."
